WASHINGTON — Nike has suspended its relationship with Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving within the wake of the controversy surrounding his social media publish a few e-book and film containing antisemitic tropes, the corporate introduced Friday night time.
Nike additionally stated it is going to not launch Irving’s new shoe, the Kyrie 8. The shoe, Irving’s eighth with the corporate, had been slated for a November 8 launch.
“At Nike, we consider there isn’t a place for hate speech and we condemn any type of antisemitism,” Nike stated in a ready assertion. “We are deeply saddened and disillusioned by the state of affairs and its affect on everybody.”
Irving’s cope with Nike was initially set to run out on Oct. 1, 2023. His signature line with Nike, which he has had since 2014, is one in all Nike’s most profitable present participant sequence in recent times, behind solely LeBron James’ signature sequence. Irving’s footwear are additionally among the many most-worn throughout the league.
Irving, 30, was suspended by the Nets on Thursday night time for at the least 5 video games with out pay after failing to formally apologize for his publish and failing to make clear whether or not he held antisemitic beliefs.
Irving apologized in an Instagram publish later that night time, writing partially: “To All Jewish households and Communities which can be harm and affected from my publish, I’m deeply sorry to have brought on you ache and I apologize.”
On Friday night, a number of gamers had been carrying Kyrie-branded footwear. Going ahead, it stays to be seen if Nike will request present endorsing athletes to halt carrying prior Kyrie sneakers in video games altogether.
ESPN’s Nick DePaula contributed to this report.
